213: Insights from Engaging with Community and Academic Leaders to Assess Health Care Experiences of Alzheimer’s Patients and Caregivers in Puerto Rico after Natural Disasters

Introduction: We assessed service gaps following natural disasters for Alzheimer's patients (AP) in Puerto Rico (PR). We collaborated with academic and community leaders to connect with AP and identify opportunities to better serve AP through improved policy and practice.

Methods: The assessment included engagement with a local university to help develop and carry out protocols; local advocacy organizations to provide feedback on materials and help connect with AP; and APs through 51 in-person interviews. To understand lessons learned, we solicited feedback from study members.

Results: Lessons learned included aspects of building trust among the study population (through culturally responsive materials and proper training of interviewers), carrying out a collaborative research approach amongst stakeholders (through sharing of leadership with local partners), and implementing complex study procedures with AP (ensuring meaningful consent or assent and narratives could be obtained from APs).

Conclusion: These provide practical guidance for future assessments in this context.

Johan Hernandez – University of Puerto Rico; Alex Mendoza-Graft – Associate Policy Researcher, BPS, RAND Corporation; Gilberto Ramos – University of Puerto Rico; Justin Timbie – Policy Researcher, BPS, RAND Corporation